(source)
|
Thomas Midgley, Jr.
(18 May 1889 - 2 Nov 1944)
American engineer and chemist who discovered the effectiveness of tetraethyl lead (1921) as an antiknock additive for gasoline, and Freon (1930) as the refrigerant in for air conditioners.
|
Quotes by others about Thomas Midgley, Jr. (1)
[At the funeral of Kettering’s researcher, Thomas Midgley, Jr., the minister intoned “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” Afterwards Kettering commented:] It struck me then that in Midgley’s case it would have seemed so appropriate to have added, “But we can leave a lot behind for the good of the world.”
As quoted in book review, T.A. Boyd, 'Charles F. Kettering: Prophet of Progress', Science (30 Jan 1959), 256.
See also:
- 18 May - short biography, births, deaths and events on date of Midgley's birth.
- More for Thomas Midgley, Jr. on Today in Science History page.
- Thomas Midgley - ACS Paper - Eliminating the Knock in the Automobile Engine
- 2 Feb - births, deaths and events on date ethyl gasoline first went on sale.
- Thomas Midgley and the Law of Unintended Consequences - article from Invention & Technology Magazine on Thomas Midgley's career in research, from which came the rise and fall of two chemicals with dangerous effects in the atmosphere.
- From the Periodic Table to Production: The Life of Thomas Midgley, Jr., by Thomas Midgley. - book suggestion.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
